Friday, July 21, 2006

As you know, your committee works tirelessly on your behalf, searching out the best tastings and trips for your enjoyment, and all without fear or favour, or thought of reward.

Thus it was that on the hottest day on record, Ken and Toshie found themselves in air-conditioned splendour in Strata, Queen Street, sipping Highland Bellinis and chatting to Diageo’s brands ambassador. Highland Bellinis? Pear puree, lemon, champagne and a generous measure of Longmorn malt.

The event was to showcase Diageo’s malt whiskies and how they can be teamed with a four-course dinner. Starter was Scottish oak smoked salmon with Talisker 10, poured over a glass where water had been previously froze. You could either drink it before it cooled down, or waited for some melt to calm down the spicy Talisker.

Next came venison with vegetable ratatouille and basil crouton (normal Wednesday night fare for club members, I know) with Clynelish 14.

Pud was honey and orange cheesecake served with frozen Dalwhinnie 15 in a narrow, tulip shaped glass. It was simply delicious.

Finally came the Roquefort cheese and Arran oatcakes matched with Lagavulin 16. A perfect complement.

A final toast with Johnny Walker Blue Label, a blend of 14 malts, up to 60 years old, and your intrepid duo wandered off into the balmy night, safe in the knowledge that they had once again put club before self.

Monday, July 17, 2006

The Festival brings a feast of music and other arts to locations throughout the Orkney Islands.

The 30th St Magnus Festival celebrated the life and work of Orkney’s great poet and storyteller George Mackay Brown, whose presence and writing graced the Festival from its inception until his death in 1966.

To mark this Highland Park released a limited edition 12 year old bottling with a unique label.

It produced only 500 for the festival and the original plan was to sell them exclusively through the distillery – but word of this release spread quickly and HP has been inundated with phone calls and e-mails asking if they can be bought online.

The bottles are £32.99 plus delivery and with fewer than 100 left they will be snapped up very quickly.